Yamaha R3 and MT-03 launched in India

Key Highlights

• Yamaha R3 and MT-03 are being brought to India as CBU imports.
• They will be sold through Yamaha’s Blue Square showrooms.
• The two motorbikes are powered by a 321cc engine.

Yamaha R3 and MT-03 have been launched in India at Rs 4.65 lakh and Rs 4.60 lakh respectively. If you’re wondering why the motorbikes are priced so high, it’s because they are being imported from Indonesia as Completely Built-Up (CBU) units. Their previous-gen versions were Completely Knock-Down (CKD) imports and were assembled in India. Both motorbikes will be sold through select Blue Square showrooms.

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Yamaha R3 and MT-03: Everything you need to know

Yamaha R3 and MT-03 share the same powertrain between them. The 321cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine powering the two motorbikes produces a maximum power output of 41.4hp @ 10,750rpm and 29.6Nm of torque @ 9,000 rpm. This engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Both motorbikes also get a USD fork suspension at the front. The rear suspension is handled by a mono-shock unit. Talking about the braking, the two motorbikes get 298mm discs at the front and 220mm units at the rear. Yamaha R3 has a kerb weight of 169kg, while the MT-03 is 1kg lighter.

As far as features are concerned, the Yamaha R3 and MT-03 get an LCD instrument display, LED lighting, and dual-channel ABS. The motorbikes do not offer Bluetooth connectivity. Traction controls and riding modes are missing on the two bikes as well. The R3’s design is similar to the older crop of Yamaha motorbikes because it has been in circulation for over 3 years overseas.

Commenting on the launch, Mr Eishin Chihana, Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies said, “As an integral aspect of the ‘The Call of the Blue’ brand campaign, Yamaha is committed to strengthening its premium segment range by introducing models that appeal to the need of young Indian consumers. The R-series and MT-series models enjoy a huge fan base in India because of their superior performance and iconic design. These Yamaha fans have been waiting for a long time to elevate their riding experience with the larger displacement models in this series.

In alignment with this dedication, we are excited to announce today the launch of our latest – supersport bike, R3 and hyper-naked, MT-03 in India. We are confident that both these models, showcasing Yamaha’s cutting-edge technology and innovation, will undoubtedly captivate the interest of our young customers in the country and offer them a thrilling ride experience. With the addition of these step-up models in the R-series & MT-series, we look forward to further nurturing the growing premium motorcycle segment in India.”

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Conclusion

Yamaha R3 is available in two paint shades – Icon Blue and Yamaha Black. Meanwhile, the MT-03 is available in Midnight Cyan and Midnight Black colour schemes. The R3 rivals the Aprilia RS 457 and KTM RC 390. The MT-03 locks horns with the KTM Duke 390. Aprilia also has a street naked counterpart of the RS 457 in the works, which will rival the MT-03 upon launch.

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